Benefits of working for the Department

Salary arrangements

Work life balance

The department supports arrangements for flexible work conditions including:

Access to flextime for APS1- 6 staff and time-in-lieu arrangements available for EL staff upon negotiation with manager

Flexible arrangements for staff with family responsibilities, including carers leave

Negotiable part time working hours.

Healthy workplace

Department employees are encouraged to maintain good health and active lifestyles. To support this, the department provides:

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides access to counselling services for staff to assist with work or personal issues

Influenza vaccinations for all interested staff

Diversity and equality

The department aims to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, race, disability or age. As part of this, the department has:

The department has appointed members of the Senior Executive Service to the roles of Diversity Champion and Disability Champion as a focus for progressing departmental action on diversity issues. As a further commitment to workplace diversity, we have also established the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network, the Staff with Disability Network and the Health Pride Network.

Learning and development

The department believes in developing employee work skills and experiences for now and the future. Staff are provided with support, opportunities and assistance to learn through:

internal on-the-job and off-the-job training programmes

accredited courses for required roles

eLearning and online learning resources

individual development plans that focus on capability needs

department (tertiary) study schemes and professional development support

learning programmes that partner with professional educational institutions and academic bodies

programmes to recognise and grow talent.

Further information

For further information about the department, please visit the following pages:

Applying for a job with the department

For information about eligibility for Department of Health jobs, how the department meets the needs of diversity groups in recruitment and tips on preparing your application, see the How to apply page.

The department uses the APS-wide Integrated Leadership System (ILS) to describe the capability of our people. In framing an application for jobs in the department, please refer to the ILS capabilities for the job classification advertised to ensure you understand the expectations. The ILS capabilities are used in assessing applicants for their suitability for Health roles. Detail of the expected capability by level under the ILS can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission’s (APSC) website.

The department uses an online recruitment system for all job applications. For more information about using the online recruitment system see the online recruitment help page.

As part of the Australian Public Service (APS), valuing the principle of good public administration, staff of the department are governed by the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles. See more information about this on the Australian Public Service Commission’s (APSC) website.

Current vacancies

Current vacancies with the department are listed on the HealthJobs page.
People interested in non-ongoing (temporary) employment can apply for positions through the Temporary Employment Register.

The department's programmes

Graduate Development Programme (GDP)

The Graduate Development Programme is a full-time programme that commences in February each year. As a graduate with the department, you may contribute to the development and implementation of health policy, programmes and service delivery. You will play a meaningful role in serving the Australian public and work on issues that touch the lives of every-day Australians.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry-Level Programmes

The department is committed to attracting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. The department participates in the APSC Indigenous Pathways Programme and the Department of Employment’s Indigenous Australian Government Development Programme to attract and recruit staff.